BCSC School Resource Officer Julie Q. Smith
City officials on Tuesday agreed to award a long-time former member of the Columbus Police Department with her service weapon as a token of appreciation.
Columbus Board of Public Works and Safety members agreed to award Julie Q. Smith with her service weapon, as is customary for retirees, Police Chief Steve Norman said.
Smith had been with CPD for over 20 years, and worked for 12 in BCSC schools as a school resource officer. Smith’s work as an SRO led to Gov. Mike Braun appointing her as the first Director of the Office of School Safety, a new position created by the governor as part of his public safety agenda.
The board oversees millions of dollars in annual safety grants awarded to Indiana schools. The Office of School Safety, which operated under the Department of Homeland Security, absorbed the state’s previous School Safety Board.
Last year, for example, the board approved $24 million in safety grant funding shared to nearly 500 Indiana schools. In the new state biennial budget, the amount grows to to $27.1 million each year, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Before assuming her new role, Smith was a national instructor for the National Association of School Resource Officers as well as regional director for the Midwest states. She also served as president of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.
Norman said that Smith officially retired from the department this past Saturday.
